McHenry Times

Rep. Steven Andersson (R-Geneva) told his colleagues on Thursday that the time to quarrel over the budget is over and the time to come together is now.

The Senate approved a budget on Tuesday that includes a $5.4 billion tax hike, and many Republicans have objected, saying more spending without reforms will lead to more trouble for Illinois.

Andersson reminded the House that a bipartisan group of 33 members from districts across the state came together to issue a call for unity, which now must be fulfilled, he said. 

“That call was to encourage the Senate to do the best work they could on the grand bargain, on a budget and related bills, and send us what they could pass,” Andersson said. “They’ve now done that. Is what they sent us perfect? No. Was it bipartisan? Some parts, yes. Some parts, no. But as our group of 33 stated, the finances of the state of Illinois are in crisis and we must do better. Now it is our turn.”

SB9 and SB6, the tax hike proposal and appropriations bill, respectively, have been appointed to House committees for further discussion before going to a full House vote. Many Republicans have decried the bills as partisan punishments of taxpayers, ineffective in funding the state and failures in producing true reforms. 

Andersson did not take the same point of view.

“It’s not the time to debate who last invited whom to the table,” he said. “It’s time to file that question away permanently. Just come to the table. It is our time for our leaders and our rank and file to meet and negotiate this to completion."

He noted that his call for unity was meant for all, not one party or the other.

“I believe everyone in this room is sincerely committed to the goal of getting a budget,” Andersson said. “It appeared that the Senate was very close. Let’s pick up where they left off, whether it is using their bills or other bills, and let’s get this across the finish line. My call, most importantly, is to compromise. To our leaders, please take the bold step needed to reach compromise. To our rank and file, let’s support our leader in making those hard choices to compromise and, as needed, let’s push our respective leaders as hard as we can to help them make hard choices.”

Andersson concluded by stating that the people of Illinois are “fed up and they are deservedly so.”

"Let’s end this impasse," he said. "Let’s get a deal finished."